USC vs. Washington Review

Football Fans,
As I predicted the game was a total rout! The odds makers had USC winning by
12 1/2 by game time. What these fellows do not realize is that there is always a factor that is not seen by them. This is a maturation process that has happened to the Trojans since the start of the season. What started slowly was a group of mostly under class men who had not played a football game together has matured into a finally tuned machine with so many weapons. Like few teams, USC has fought through adversity of the sanctions, injuries, suspensions and the like. They have now played 10 game together and know each other better. The coaches know who can play and who cannot and at what level after hours of film sessions. Some new players have supplanted veterans due to their superior physical and mental skills and ability to learn on the fly.

The Washington game turned on a fake punt, a total surprise to 9 Huskies who had turned their backs to the play and headed down field. You could almost sense the USC Punter, Kyle Negrete’s astonishment that there was a lot of open field in front of him and the two contain men were blocked, so off he went. It was a game changing event for a player who wears the date of the death of his mother on his arm each game…5/17/02. She succumbed to Breast Cancer on that day. He inscribes the date on his forearm before each game with a Sharpie. I am sure she watched with pride as he rambled 35 yards and ran over one Huskie!

The super star of the day was not Robert Woods nor Matt Barkley, but a much maligned group of offensive lineman that put aside the Huskies defense to the tune of 252 yards rushing on 40 attempts including Curtis McNeal’s 79 yard scamper. Here’s one for the gipper, O Line: Matt Kalil, John Martinez, Kevin Graf, Khaled Holmes, and Marcus Martin. The Tight Ends of Xavier Gimble and Randall Telfer contributed greatly as well as Fullback Rhett Ellison. The wide receivers, especially freshman Marqise Lee, who put the final block to spring McNeal on is long run. It was a total team effort on the O, but it all started with the line.

The defense has been a work in progress and has settled on the right combination at linebacker with our trio of freshmen that will mature each game and have 3 more years in front of them! Chris Galippo has been sent to the bench and special teams as Lamar Dawson has supplanted him. Tire Madden is learning fast filling in for Dion Bailey, who has returned from his concussion. Chris was seen by this reporter and others as being out of position, not anticipating well and his poor tackling skills and lacking of wrapping up were evident in countless games and cause for his demotion. His enthusiasm and leadership will add to the special teams. The secondary lead by TJ “Hit-man” McDonald is a thing of beauty now with Michell Robey, Tony Burnett and Jawanza Starling adding improvement and stability to the secondary. The real test is coming! The D Line and friends had a tremendous game with 7 sacks. What a group lead by Nick Perry. Wes Horton, Chris Tupou, and George Uko filling in for DaJohn Harris. Watch out DaJohn…job in jeopardy – talk to Galippo!

One question I have for Lane Kiffin is why he did not take Matt Barkley out in the 4th quarter and let Jesse Scroggins or John Manoogian play some? Come on Lance, you had them by 30! Have a heart!

Look for my preview of Oregon later this week.
Coach Roy Out!